Opinions Please

[Silver]

I need to get a new video card as this mx is really holding up my system boot times. Question is this, the present games (as written) are using the capacity of what card? I.E. are they at a gf2 ti level, gf3 ti level or where. I know that all want the highest possible however financial constraints limit me to that or the processor and I would prefer to go after high processor speeds while maintaining a reasonable video speed. I am seriously considering a gf3 ti, however if most/all video games are at a gf2 level than what is the purpose for me. I can go after a water cooled pelt on an xp1900/2000 or a really good video card but not both. If I purchase a gf2 or a radeon 7500 can I look for a good year of use before I have to upgrade?

[cjlax5]

i would wait till the gf4's come out and see what prices do and decide from there

[o770]

geforce3 is what current games r demanding. thats because most of the new games use the directx8, 8.1 resources and features and the only video card line supporting these features is the geforce3 from nvidia. radeon 7500 and 8500 also support the technologies.

[Silver]

So in lew of purchasing a top of the line card a radeon 7500 would suffice for now?

[Cisco Kid]

Originally posted by oTTO
geforce3 is what current games r demanding. thats because most of the new games use the directx8, 8.1 resources and features and the only video card line supporting these features is the geforce3 from nvidia. radeon 7500 and 8500 also support the technologies.

I do not agree with you. Features of Directx 8 are not even fully being touched upon, most games are utilizing Dx7 features mostly, very few games utilize all DX 8 features.

A Geforce 2 GTS Pro card will play all current games fine. Whathe is considering will be more than adequate.

A Geforce 2 Ti200 or a radeon 7500 will easily last a year before he has to worry about upgrades. Heck I sold my Radeon 64 DDR vivo card and it played all games very well.

Geforce 3 Ti200 is great is not needed at this time, yes it will give you faster framerate for the real die hard fan but for the average all round user a Radeon 32 DDR card will work fine and can be found for like $60 US.

Next I would recommend a 7500 or G2 Ti200 in preferably in Visiontek flavour. But imho the 7500 offers more features.

people are just buying into this whole thing that they need a 8500, g3 Ti200 or a Ti500 which is completely ridiculous. I had the cash for an 8500 when I purchased my 7500 but the 8500 to me is still not needed for most games.

And as far as a G4 card goes if you want the latest and greatest and got cash to burn go for it but it is not needed.

Cisco Kid:D

[o770]

if you look at the nvidia website there is a page where nvidia listed all the features each current game is using. only a few will demand the directx8 resources. if you look at it in the next two months youll surely find more games and so. geforce2 pros r still quite satisfactory, i totally agree; since you can get now a geforce3 ti200 or a 7500, and they r not quite overpriced, this will still be the best deal. you know what im talking about, you got that 7500, didnt you?

[Silver]

Admittadely (bad sp) your response fits in with what I would like to hear. I would prefer to play with processor speed. However opinions is what I asked for and I thank you guys for the input.

[IcarusFalling]

I couldn't disagree with Cisco Kid more.

I just got rid of my GeForce 2 Ultra because alot of the newer games that are coming out are using DX8 more and more.

If you ask me, I'd go for a good Graphic card now. That Athlon XP you have should be fine for at least a year.

Buying a GeForce 2 xxxx doesn't make sense to me. It's old tech, and it's on it's way out. I'd go for a GeForce 3 Ti 200 (OC's well) or a Radeon 7500.

IMO of course

[Kendan]

It all depends on what games you intend to play. Like what was stated earlier the GForce3 ti 200 should really drop in price once the GForce4s saturate the market. Just research what features the games you are playing and want to play use and make your decision from that.

[Cisco Kid]

Originally posted by IcarusFalling
I couldn't disagree with Cisco Kid more.

I just got rid of my GeForce 2 Ultra because alot of the newer games that are coming out are using DX8 more and more.

If you ask me, I'd go for a good Graphic card now. That Athlon XP you have should be fine for at least a year.

Buying a GeForce 2 xxxx doesn't make sense to me. It's old tech, and it's on it's way out. I'd go for a GeForce 3 Ti 200 (OC's well) or a Radeon 7500.

IMO of course

Yes a Geforce II Ulra supports DX7 only, but show me how many games utilze all the features or even the majority of DX 8 features, perhaps a handful.

Your Ultra card would have /will easily support games for the next 8-12 mths at a very decent play level.

Most games still are just finally utilizing all DX7 features. The Geforce 2 Ti200 are an improved Geforce 2 carde with a smaller die and a few other improved features. Silver stated he would rather go with a faster cpu than a more expensive video card. A G2 Ti200/7500/ or Ultra (which are a rip off as far as price goes) will easily last a year before needing to upgrade. Sure a G3 Ti200 would be better but at a higher cost which is an issue to him.

Here is something that is interesting from tomshardware

" The Max Payne results tell a different story altogether. Here, the CPU almost seems to be of secondary importance. Interestingly, a GF2 Ti or a GF3 Ti200 shows almost no gain from a faster CPU. Only the P3 system seems to hold the Ti200 and Ti500 back, but beyond a certain level, increasing CPU performance yields only diminishing returns, and the gap between the cards becomes much less pronounced."

Read what the conclusionsays int he article the G2 Ti200 or 7500 are good choices for the enthusiats and not hard core gamer. If you are a hard core gamer than select a G3 Ti200/G3 or 8500.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/01q4/011218/geforce-ti-28.html

Thats my 2 cents worth cause ya know what it all comes down to how much dough you wanna drop, for me I do not mind upgrading my video card annually , cause I can sell it and then get what was the latest and greatest a year ago for a good deal and it still does play all games fine. My next upgrade will be an 8500 or 8500DV around Novemeber-Jan.

Cisco Kid



:D